NUFC receive injury update on Christian Atsu after he limped off against Bournemouth on Saturday

Newcastle United have received a welcome injury boost after seeing Christian Atsu limp off in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth, with it being confirmed today that he has been able to link up with Ghana on international duty – suggesting his withdrawal at the weekend was precautionary and nothing serious.

This comes as a relief after concerns have emerged over the fitness of Mikel Merino and Jamaal Lascelles over the last week, with the former likely to be sidelined for the whole of November.

Atsu can be hit or miss, but his progression from the Championship last season to the Premier League this year has been evident, seeing him nail down a place as Benitez’s first choice winger down the left.

It’s therefore promising to see he’s linked up with the Ghana squad today, suggesting he’s fine, despite Benitez revealing that he ‘felt something’ before being forced off against Bournemouth on Saturday.